The Ohio State Fair will have 3 FREE concerts with well-known acts, plus a dozen ticketed events

It’s Ohio State Fair week, and for the first time, the Ohio State Fair is adding big-name artists to its free Main Street Stage.

Traditionally featuring Ohio-born musicians and up-and-coming performers from around the country, the Fair has added nationally-recognized groups including Sister Hazel, Love and Theft and Welshly Arms to its lineup of free entertainment for 2018.

FREE CONCERTS

Tickets will not be required to attend the three “big free concerts,” which are included with Fair admission.

Sister Hazel (July 28 at 8:30 p.m.) — most successful single, "All for You," hit No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The group has continued to produce their alternative blend of country, southern rock and pop for more than 20 years.

Love and Theft (Aug. 2, 8:30 p.m.) — Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson launched their career with the No. 1 country smash hit "Angel Eyes" and Top 10 hit "Runaway."

Cleveland's Welshly Arms (Aug. 1, 8 p.m.) — recently released their 2018 full-length debut No Place is Home. Between stops at some of the country's greatest music festivals including Summerfest, Firefly and Lollapalooza, Welshly Arms will perform in their home state at the Ohio State Fair.

Other free concerts include:

- All-Ohio State Fair Band and Youth Choir, July 29

- The Rat Pack Is Back, July 31 (free)

Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin

Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin

TICKETED CONCERTS

Acts include Lee Brice (recently added), Reba McEntire, The Beach Boys, TLC and En Vogue, Brothers Osborne and The Commodores. These concerts will take place at the Celeste Center and require tickets. Ticket prices vary per event.

Here is the lineup so far:

- The Beach Boys, July 25

- Reba McEntire, July 26 (nearly sold out)

- TLC and En Vogue, July 27

-The Commodores, July 28

- Trevor Noah, July 29

-Casting Crowns, July 30

-Kidz Bop Live, July 31

-Brothers Osborne, Aug. 1

- Jeff Dunham, Aug. 2

- Lee Brice, Aug. 3

-Styx and Cheap Trick, Aug. 4

HOW TO GET TICKETS

Tickets for paid events at the Celeste Center include admission to the fair when purchased in advance, be sure to read the ticket information carefully. Tickets can be purchased at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. The fair runs July 25 through August 5 at the Ohio Expo Center. For more information on the Ohio State Fair visit www.ohiostatefair.com or call 1-614-644-FAIR. Unless otherwise noted, there is a limit of eight tickets per person, per show on the first day of sale.

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There is ample parking available for $5 per car. To park, take I-71 to 17th Avenue exit. Follow signs to Fair parking. The Celeste Center is located inside the Ohio Expo Center grounds east of the Bricker MarketPlace Building. Note: selfie sticks, video and tape recorders are prohibited.

Want to go?

WHAT: 2018 Ohio State Fair concert series

WHERE:

717 E. 17th Ave., 
Columbus

WHEN: July 25 through Aug. 5

COST: Prices vary; concert tickets purchased in advance include Fair admission

INFO: Website

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